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The knowledge enablers of knowledge transfer: a study in the construction industries in Ghana

De-Graft Owusu-Manu (Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)
David John Edwards (Faculty of Technology Environment and Engineering, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK)
Erika Anneli Pärn (Faculty of Technology Environment and Engineering, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK)
Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari (Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)
Clinton Aigbavboa (Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa)

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology

ISSN: 1726-0531

Article publication date: 3 April 2018

404

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate and identify knowledge transfer (KT) enablers within the developing country of Ghana. These enablers act as mechanisms to stimulate knowledge creation, knowledge protection and build effective knowledge-sharing (KS) behaviour in construction companies – consequently, they are crucial to business survival in a globally competitive market.

Design/methodology/approach

A perception questionnaire survey was used to elicit responses from construction practitioners using purposive and snowballing non-probability sampling techniques. Summary statistical analysis and a chi-square test was used to uncover relationships between the independent and dependent variables.

Findings

An empirical examination of data collected indicated that knowledge strategy, organizational culture, information technology and knowledge leadership as knowledge enablers have a significant positive relationship with KT. Future research is however required to measure transfer within an organization vis-à-vis measure perception of such.

Originality/value

The work presents a rare glimpse of the relationship between knowledge enablers and KT (particularly in a developing country context) and as such provides utility to policymakers and construction firms to enhance their knowledge capabilities.

Keywords

Citation

Owusu-Manu, D.-G., John Edwards, D., Pärn, E.A., Antwi-Afari, M.F. and Aigbavboa, C. (2018), "The knowledge enablers of knowledge transfer: a study in the construction industries in Ghana", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 194-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-02-2017-0015

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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